Canada, Sweden in semis

Russia-Czech Republic, Finland-Slovakia in QF on Jan. 2

Host Canada and reigning champion Russia could meet in the semi-finals for a rematch of last year's gold medal game if Russia overcomes the Czech Republic in the quarter-final clash on January 2. Photo: Matthew Manor / HHOF-IIHF Images

CALGARY/EDMONTON – Canada in Edmonton and Sweden in Calgary won their groups and receive byes for the semi-finals on January 3.

Canada was already known as a semi-finalist before its last game, but won its group with a 4-0 record, the same as Sweden, although Tre Kronor did it with two points less. After losing one point in a shootout win vs. Switzerland, the Swedes also needed the extra time in the battle for first place in Group A against Russia, eventually winning 4-3 in overtime.

Finland vs. Slovakia (15:00 local time) and Russia vs. Czech Republic (19:00) are the quarter-finals pairings on January 2.

The winner of the Finland-Slovakia clash will face Sweden on January 3 (15:00), and the winner of the Russia-Czech Republic quarter-finals will challenge host Canada (19:00) the same day.

The four remaining teams will play in the relegation round with two additional games for each team. The teams take their points from the preliminary-round match against the other relegation-round participant of their group with them. The last-place team of the round robin will be relegated to Division I Group A and be replaced by Germany in the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship in Ufa, Russia.